Disney on Friday revealed that it has created a business group that will be tasked with exploring the opportunities and risks behind using AI and other emerging tech across the entertainment conglomerate’s movie, TV and theme park operations.
The company’s current film studio CTO Jamie Voris has been tapped to lead the new Office of Technology Enablement, per a memo to staff circulated today by Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman. Voris will report directly to Bergman. It is expected to eventually grow to about 100 employees, Deadline hears.
Bergman wrote that OTE is “an organization designed to establish Disney as a progressive, innovative, and responsible leader in important and fast-moving areas of technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Mixed Reality (XR).”
“The pace and scope of advances in AI and XR are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative endeavors, and our business for years to come – making it critical that Disney explore the exciting opportunities and navigate the potential risks,” he continued. “The creation of this new group underscores our dedication to doing that and to being a positive force in shaping responsible use and best practices.”
Read the full memo below.
With Voris taking on the new role, Bergman said Marvel Studios technology head Eddie Drake will take over as Walt Disney Studios CTO effective immediately.
Just after the Writers Guild of America went on strike in May 2023 with AI as one of its major issues in a new contract with Hollywood’s studios, Disney’s Bob Iger noted the challenges the company faced with the disruptor tech, hinting Disney was already looking for ways to manage any implementation.
“It’s pretty clear that AI represents some pretty interesting opportunities for us, and some substantial benefits,” Iger told analysts during an earning call. “In fact, we are already starting to use AI to create some efficiencies and ultimately to better serve consumers. Getting close to the consumer is a real goal of ours. But it is also clear that AI is going to be highly disruptive and could be difficult to manage, particularly from an IP management perspective.
He added: “I can tell you that our legal team is working overtime already to try to come to grips with what could be some of the challenges here. So I would have to say I am bullish overall about the prospects for efficiencies and better service to customers. On the other hand, I think there is a lot we are going to have to contend with that will be quiet disruptive and quite challenging.”
Reuters first reported today on Disney’s new office.
Companies large and small across the entire economy have been investing in AI. For the entertainment business, it has presented some thorny complications, especially among a creative community wracked by deep uncertainty following Covid and years of steady downsizing at many traditional companies.
Last year, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA made AI a central component in their respective negotiations with the AMPTP, winning some concessions. But studios have continued to explore the possibilities, with Lionsgate recently establishing an agreement with AI firm Runway.
Here’s Bergman’s full memo today:
From: Bergman, Alan
Subject: The Office of Technology Enablement
The Walt Disney Company has always been a pioneer in blending imagination and innovation.
Our ability to remain at the forefront of technological advances will only be more critical as we move forward – making it all the more important to understand and embrace new technological shifts in ways that enable our people, creativity, and business.
With that in mind, Disney is forming a new Office of Technology Enablement (OTE), an organization designed to establish Disney as a progressive, innovative, and responsible leader in important and fast-moving areas of technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Mixed Reality (XR).
The pace and scope of advances in AI and XR are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative endeavors, and our business for years to come – making it critical that Disney explore the exciting opportunities and navigate the potential risks. The creation of this new group underscores our dedication to doing that and to being a positive force in shaping responsible use and best practices.
The Office of Technology Enablement will be led by Jamie Voris and will coordinate efforts across the company. Jamie brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to ensuring creativity and technology enrich and enable each other.
Jamie will report to me, and the Office of Technology Enablement team will have accountability to all our business segments and partner closely with leaders across the company.
Importantly, the new group is not intended to take over or centralize the array of work that will be done in these areas. Its purpose is to galvanize – ensuring that our exploration, adoption, and use of these technologies is aligned, strategic, and responsible.
Jamie and the OTE will partner with leaders and teams around Disney to promote exploration and adoption of these technologies that aligns to our goals and values. They will also work to clarify and simplify processes – enabling teams enterprise-wide to work in these spaces and drive outcomes with greater agility, velocity, and consistency.
As Jamie takes on this new role, we’re excited to share that Eddie Drake will step into the role of Chief Technology Officer leading the Studio Technology team, effective today.
The Office of Technology Enablement will commence its work immediately, engaging with you and other leaders and teams across the Company over the weeks ahead. We are excited about the opportunities these efforts will unlock for Disney as we advance further in these complex and exciting areas, while staying true to our core values and creative legacy.
Alan
English (US) ·